Forster Co-Ax Press

[savageshooter86]

Just curious to hear how much better ammunition this press will put out vs a std reloading press. I see it's advantages and how easy it is to use. But how much difference in final product using same components and dies would one see with this press vs others? Read it is suppose to help reduce runout and increase concentricity

Currently have a Lee Breech Lock press

Might be looking to add this to my bench first of year

 

[Alex Wheeler]

You won't see any difference. All presses flex. But you will like using it more.

 

[johara1]

I think you will the small presses flex a lot, my old RCBS A2 doesn't and the Forster co-ax seems OK. I loaded on the A2 since 1969,and it's still tight. They both make quality ammo......jim

 

[gary0529]

Agree w/Jim,
if the current press is pretty tight i doubt you will see much difference. However, you will enjoy the process more.
No need for shell holders, dies slip in easily, huge compounding force available if you need it,
really really tough to stick cases on dies if lube is notquite enough--it CAN be done but you have to try hard to bugger it up .
If you are using a better quality die set and the co-ax you can get less run out
it is my go to for long range ammo.
you will like it few who have one complain about it

Gary

 

[Catfish]

If you are happy with what you have forget it. The Lee press is wat to lite for me, but if it works for you fine. As for accuracy you will probily not be able to tell any difference in a factory chamber.

 

[timeout]

You won't see any difference. All presses flex. But you will like using it more.

Not to be disagreeable, but it would take one heckuva lot of force to make my Redding Big BossII flex. I use a Harell's compact on the small stuff. Along with Imperial lube, flex is not a problem. All that being said, I believe the Forster Coax is a fine press.

 

[brian427cobra]

I can make the same quality ammo on either my Co-Ax or my Partner Press, but the Co-Ax is easier to do it with, I use the Partner Press at the range, and the Co-Ax in my house, I load 9mm 40sw 260Rem 308Win and 30-06 on the Co-Ax, the lack of shell holders to buy for each caliber is a plus, the jaws float side to side, super fast die changes with no loss of adjustment, and they float front to back, SUPERIOR spent primer retention, and when FL resizing the Co-Ax has 2-3 times the mechanical advantage v any other press, the one thing it lacks is ergonomics.

 

[Geeman]

You will love the ability to switch dies without having to thread the thing in. You will love the spent primer handling. You will never have a problem with leverage, but there is still excellent feel for what's happening.

I find it a bit of a pain to switch from large to small base shell holder, but that's me. The tight entry area has turned the use of the press a one handed operation.

Its a great press. Perfect, no, but about as good as it gets so far as I have experienced.

Greg

 

[Zia Hunter]

I replaced my Rockchucker after 35+ years of use with a COAX a few years ago and wish I had done so sooner. The press is very accurate and easy to set up the dies for proper headspace. The die floats in the press and combined with the way it holds the case assures that it will center as it is being inserted into the die. I have noticed a reduction in runout especially with FL dies. Dies are easy to change and shell holders are not needed. The way it handles decapped primers is a real plus. Worth every penny.

 

[Leaddog]

Using a Rockchucker Press and Redding S Bushing FL Dies, my run out is less than .0005. That's one half of one thousandth. No need to change to anything else.

I do use a rubber grommet (O ring) between the die and press per German Salazar's recommendation.

 

[savageshooter86]

Charlie do you mind sending a pic of the rubber grommet? I am interested in doing this on mine

Thanks

 

[Leaddog]

Charlie do you mind sending a pic of the rubber grommet? I am interested in doing this on mine

Thanks

The O Ring is just a #17 that can be had at any hardware store. There was an article written on this website here: http://www.accurateshooter.com/technical-articles/reloading/o-rings-on-dies-may-reduce-run-out/

I saw a bit of improvement in run out when I went to using this method.

 

[savageshooter86]

O ok. I have seent that before. When I tried that with my lee lock rings and press the O ring was really compressed. Not sure if that was helping but I removed it I will try it again to verify again. Would I use that on any dies or just a FL sizer die?

thanks for the information everyone

 

[Leaddog]

O ok. I have seent that before. When I tried that with my lee lock rings and press the O ring was really compressed. Not sure if that was helping but I removed it I will try it again to verify again. Would I use that on any dies or just a FL sizer die?

thanks for the information everyone

Don't over tighten the die down on the O ring. I run my dies just finger tight. I am not familiar with your type press set up.

 

[jlow]

OK, this is idea of the O-ring is an interesting topic for me but to avoid hijacking this thread, I am going to start a new one. Please join in there.

 

[savageshooter86]

Question....how do you initially adjust dies with this press?

 

[GrocMax]

Question....how do you initially adjust dies with this press?

Base contact at full stroke, measure whatever operation you're doing, adjust, lock ring to die, never take ring off again for the same round.

 

[savageshooter86]

do you pull die out to lock the ring or do it while in the press?

 

[tome]

in the press..i got both presses you mentioned..breech lock..neat press for the money..stiff, even thou i oiled it..wood ball comes off easy...doesn't have the solid feel of the co ax...co ax ..over built..i think you could fl re size anything on this press..no shell holders..dies float..set once in the lock ring and that's it..dies slide in and out of the press..smooth in operation..fit and finish is top shelf..i have no run out problems with the co ax...smoothest press i ever operated...worth the money

 

[amamnn]

Here is one reason that the Forster Co-ax can build better ammo than a "C" or "O" press. The following quote is from the Corbin website, but pertains to the Co-Ax press as well.


"Years of development have gone into building a precision alignment system for the CSP-1 press ram and head. Both for precision reloading and for bullet making, the axial and angular alignment must be precise for best results. Most presses have two kinds of alignment error.
Axial offset
This kind of alignment error occurs when a press casting is drilled from one end, flipped, and drilled from the other. The axis of the hole for the ram may not be exactly on line with the center of the hole for the head, because of drill drift or holding variances. The ram is parallel to the head but runs off to one side of it.
Angular offset
This kind of alignment error occurs when the drill either flexes slightly in passing through the gap between the ram bore and the head, or the press casting is turned around to drill from both ends and there is an angular alignment error in the clamping. The two holes appear to be in alignment, but one or both are actually tipped slightly about the centerline. The ram runs at a slight angle to the head."

These errors were corrected in Corbin presses with the following procedures, which pointed out other, smaller corrections which were hidden until the alignment precision was brought into a much closer tolerance than is possible with conventional press construction. Then, these lesser factors were identified and corrected, one by one. Many are caused by errors so small that they only become apparent when the larger issues are solved, such as the slight angle between the threaded bore of commercial nuts to their bearing surfaces, or the variance in thickness of standard washers from one side to the other. Time consuming machine work is required on every piece of hardware if these sources of uneven stress are to be eliminated. Lower cost press manufacturers simply cannot afford to take all the extra time these many steps require (and, for less demanding work, it isn't required).




Please note that if your rifle is not built to the level of quality necessary to take advantage of the more accurately aligned ammo, or if shooter skills are not up to the mark--then no advantage will be found using these type presses other than ease of die changing and increased leverage. For the custom rifle shooter they can be one of the many things we do or buy to incrementally improve accuracy...........